BNP story in the Hampstead and Highgate Express

How low has the once respected Ham&High local newspaper stooped when it seems to 'play in' the views the far right British National Party with its front page story on a local dispute over halal meals at a Kilburn Primary school?

The story (link to follow) revolves around the decision of school governors at Kingsgate Primary school to serve Halal dinners to pupils, given that 75% of students are Muslim. Local parents were consulted, approved the scheme, although a small minority was a vociferously against.

Investigating claims that the people claiming to be from the BNP had made "abusive phone calls" to the school around this issue, a Ham & High reporter rang up the BNP HQ to check if this was the case. The BNP denied it but explained their position on Halal meals in schools, which the Ham&High duly printed in their story.

Besides the fact that Nick Griffin and his chums must be toasting pints of Carling at the legitimacy that the historically influential Ham & High has now given the far-right party by citing it, the manner in which the BNP were reported in the paper merits further analysis.

Here's what appears to be the run of events:

(1) Complaint made that someone claiming to be from the BNP is making "abusive phone calls." N.b. This is a potentially criminal act or something that would bring the party into disrepute.
(2) Journalist finds this out and seeks to verify. No one is forthcoming so, er, phones up the BNP to ask them whether they have broken the law
(3) BNP (unsurprisingly) deny they have committed a criminal act / brought their party into disrepute
(4) BNP use opportunity now the Ham & High is on the line to feed quote
(5) Hack takes quote and prints in top story

(6) BNP get legitimate coverage in respectable local paper for chattering classes, which is what they seem to want these days
(7) Story further sensationalised by threatening-looking photo of "confrontation" between muslim woman and protester outside of the primary school to back up the "climate of fear" headline

The piece was then followed by one of the flakiest editorials I have seen in a long time, essentially arguing that while the vast majority want halal meals, a minority don't. And they can't agree. So time for some "common sense." Both sides of the argument should be looked at. A solution should be found. But they can't agree, it blathers on, "Therein lies the nub of the problem."

Indeed that is a veritable pearl of wisdom. Can't wait till next week's thoughts.

As they say, if you can't say anything useful don't say anything at all.

Low marks also for printing a letter from a well-known UKIP activist / 2 time Parliamentary candidate (who doesn't declare himself as such) stating the absurd: "little by little we are having Sharia Law imposed upon us."

The issue of halal food in schools presents itself from time to time and is a favourite of the right-wing press when they want to rant about PCness or the failure of multi-culturalism. The story hit the Mail (again) in reference to Reading, see here, just before Christmas. In reality, debates of this kind are nothing new and have been going on since in mid 1980s at least. Also not that original is how journalists stumble into this "new" story like a scene out of Groundhog Day.

Camden's debate happened during our school meals consultation, in which there was a heated argument, see here and here. Finally it attempted to sort the issue with its new meals offer to parents and children - essentially offering guidance and funding, but also leaving much of the issue to local schools to make a decision.

Good luck to the staff and governors of Kingsgate now having to weather the storm of much more intense media scrutiny than they ever deserved! Sadly the Ham & High in quoting the BNP the paper lends the far right group the legitimacy it craves so much, as exposed by the Guardian inflitration before Christmas.